Introduction
The construction and real estate sectors in the Nordic region, while crucial to the economy and employment, significantly contribute to environmental issues, accounting for 39% of regional energy-related CO2 emissions with additional environmental impacts including resource depletion, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Addressing the challenges connected to the modern construction industry is a question that takes more than a dialogue between the authorities and the industry. It is a societal activity of great importance impacting the whole of society. Hence, it is needed to say, that if we want to change something and form a path for the construction industry to become more sustainable, including a significant reduction of the negative impact of construction and a promotion and development of a practice that respects planetary boundaries and contribute positively to a better tomorrow, then we need to do something different.
Although there has been a growing focus and ambition in these areas—evidenced by initiatives such as the New European Bauhaus, the recent passing of the EU Nature Restoration Law, the establishment of environmental councils and committees, and the integration of sustainable development goals—economic considerations often overshadow these concerns. In some cases, the drive for GDP growth and specific industry interests has led to a disproportionate emphasis on short-term gains, at the expense of long-term sustainability.
Like in many countries, the construction sector in the Nordics is cyclical and sensitive to economic fluctuations. It typically expands during periods of economic growth and contracts during downturns. However, public infrastructure investments often help stabilize the sector during economic slowdowns.
Beginning around 2010 the Nordic countries have been collaborating to reduce the climate and environmental impact of construction with the aim of making the region the most sustainable in the world.
This report presents the work of a specific project named SUSTAINORDIC, that is amongst the latest developments in the common Nordic cooperation in this regard. SUSTAINORDIC is based on a thinking that the transformation towards carbon neutrality of the construction sector requires a full systems transformation. This involves a fundamental and integrated transformation of structures, processes, and practices to create a more environmentally, socially, and economically viable built environment.
As part of designing for implementation of the Nordic Vision 2030 all these components and the interdependencies between them must be considered and reflected in holistic policies, regulation and frameworks that reflect real life experience from the users and form a new path for place-based sustainable development and clear the path towards long-term positive impacts on both human well-being and the health of the biosphere.
This report contains a set of recommendations to the shaping of the coming 5 years of the Nordic Vision 2030 in support of the commitment stated in the Nordic commitment to low carbon construction and circular principles in the construction sector to continue Nordic collaboration on lowering the climate- and biodiversity impact and GHG emissions from buildings, waste, construction sites, building materials, the existing building stock and construction processes.
The content of this report is based on input from Nordic urban planners, policy makers, architects, engineers, developers, building owners, grassroot movements and activists collected through 28 panel debates and events, 24 interviews, 4 roundtable conversations as well as numerous conversations with experts and thought leaders connected to the SUSTAINORDIC project. A list of all the involved direct and indirect contributors can be found at the end of this report.
The results of this report are a product of a dialogue over the last three years with a plethora of experts and practitioners in and around the construction sector in the Nordic countries. The dialogue has been hosted and facilitated at several events in all the Nordic countries, at formal meetings, at the Nordic democracy festivals, at the UIA World Congress of Architecture, At The Arctic Circle Assembly, in digital events and roundtable discussions, through interviews, at the New European Bauhaus festival, COP26 in Glasgow, COP27 in Sharm-El-Sheik and COP28 in Dubai.
See full list of events produced by SUSATINORDIC here: Events — SUSTAINORDIC
